LCBO announces London getting one of 40 government-run marijuana shops opening in the summer

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London is one of just three Southwestern Ontario cities selected to get at least one ­government-run marijuana outlet by the summer.

The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), the agency responsible for running the new dispensaries, announced the first 14 confirmed cities Friday.

The province plans to open 40 stand-alone stores and an online service to sell recreational cannabis by July 1, when the federal Liberals are expected to legalize the drug for recreational use. The number of stores will grow to 150 by 2020.

“I’m pleased that we’re on the front end of the process,” London Mayor Matt Brown said of the Friday announcement.

“I was hoping to hear the news sooner rather than later so we can work on the planning.”

Windsor and Kitchener are the only other Southwestern Ontario cities included on the initial list.

How many outlets each of the 14 cities is getting, or where the dispensaries will be located, wasn’t revealed Friday.

“Over the coming weeks, staff from the Ministry of Finance and the LCBO will meet with staff at the identified municipalities to discuss the guidelines and process for siting stores and local interests,” the LCBO said in a statement.

“The public will have the opportunity to submit questions and comments on the intended site before it is confirmed.”

Once a site for an outlet is identified, a public notice will be posted at the property and online.

Brown highlighted the importance of involving the community in the consultation process.

“I think that any land-use planning issue, we need to take the time to hear from our community, identify areas of concern and then make sure that these operations open in areas where they’re most appropriate,” he said.

The announcement comes on the heels of new legislation aimed at cracking down on illegal pot shops operating after the government-run stores open.

London is the only city in Southwestern Ontario where illegal pot shops operate. Despite repeated police efforts to crack down on the unsanctioned business, four of them remain open.

The proposed law would give police the power to immediately shut down premises they suspect are being used for the illegal sale or distribution of cannabis.